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I need help again: A month or so ago I disassembled my Big Boy tender to check the condition of the battery, but don't think I ran it after that. I put it on the track today and it immediately blew the 5A fast fuse, after checking that everything was on the track correctly, I put power to it and blew another fuse. The engine runs fine with the tender off the track - the problem is in the tender. I took the tender shell off to check for a pinched wire - can't find anything. Tried again - same problem. I'm at a loss, and appreciate any suggestions.

 

Thanks.

 

 

 

 

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Look at the electro coupler mounting plate.

It often comes loose from the truck frame. If you can wiggle it you have a problem and it can short both halves of the truck frame together if it gets loose enough.

See link for repair info:

http://www.tuveson.com/bigboy/..._big_boy_coupler.htm

 

 

If that is not it unplug the railsounds boards and see if that fixes the short.

 

Carl

Carl,

 

I was hoping you'd see my plea for help. Even though the coupler mounting didn't seem loose, I tightened it anyway. That didn't do it. Removed both boards. Still a short.

 

With the boards removed, I'm tempted to install a slow-blow fuse and do a spark test to try and find the problem. Your thoughts?

Originally Posted by Sgaugian:

Check to make certain all of your tender wheel sets are arranged similarly.  One wheel is insulated from the axle the other is not.  Put all of the insulated wheels on one side (e.g. engineer's side) and all of the non-insluated wheels on the other (i.e. fireman's side).  

That is true with the trailing truck of the loco but the BB tender wheels are all insulated at the axle They all pick up power so you can't get them in backwards..

 

Carl 

Good news and not so good news: I no longer have a short, but don't know exactly what was the cause; since I could never pinpoint it, I made sure I had clearances, and no pinched wires. There is a piece of insulation tape on one horn of the centipede wheel frame by the coil coupler that appeared to be worn, so I put two layers of electrical tape over it. I also put electrical tape over the two screws that terminate two wires and hold the centipede frame (they show in Carls pictures).

 

I was aware that the tender axles are not "one sided".

 

However, I no longer have chuffs, crew talk (don't care), coupler opening sound, or brake sounds. I have bell, whistle, and the sound when changing directions. I tried reset a couple of times to no avail. Sorry to be a pain, but now what?

 

And thanks for all the help so far?

Originally Posted by Carl Tuveson:

Look at the electro coupler mounting plate.

It often comes loose from the truck frame. If you can wiggle it you have a problem and it can short both halves of the truck frame together if it gets loose enough.

See link for repair info:

http://www.tuveson.com/bigboy/..._big_boy_coupler.htm

 

 

If that is not it unplug the railsounds boards and see if that fixes the short.

 

Carl

I wouldn't use Loctite on these screws. loctite is too powerful for screws this small - even the blue Loctite. I use clear nail polish. It does the job well, the screws can be removed later, and it's easy to find.

Sorry bout that on the wheels and axles.  Tested fast with m-meter on way out the door but tested wrong.  Rim to axle one side then the other but kept probe on same end of axle.  Been awhile since had mine apart to move last set forward one slot.  All the wheels conduct to the axle but the axle halves are separated.
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OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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